Station 44 reports to a fire in Ortley Beach…

Seaside Heights firefighters responded to this call in Ortley Beach on the chilly evening of Friday January 25, 2008.

Station 44 reports to a fire in Ortley Beach: On the chilly evening of Friday January 25, 2008, Station 44, The Seaside Heights Volunteer Fire Department responded to the report of a potential structure fire at a condominium complex near 1st Avenue and Bay Boulevard in the Ortley Beach section of the Township of Toms River. The unit is occupied by summer-and-weekend-only residents, who fired up their heating system this cold first night of the weekend. Shortly thereafter, the distinct smell of smoke permeated the unit, and authorities were alerted. Upon arrival, a team from Station 44, led by Chief James Samarelli, isolated the smell, which was determined to be from burning wood under the furnace. The smoldering material was extinguished in short order. In addition to Station 44, fire squads from East Dover and Ocean Beach were dispatched, but were canceled before arrival.